Re:Zero -Starting Life in Zero

"Ask your heart, Betty. If it chooses me to be your [the one], I will stay by your side even without a contract."

Green's voice was filled with undisguised sincerity.

"No...that's not how it is..."

Betty staggered to her feet, her fingertips trembling as she flipped through the Book of Wisdom in her arms, her movements so hurried it seemed she wanted to crumple the pages.

A single, scalding tear finally escaped its eye socket, landing with a "plop" on the page, leaving a small, dark stain.

She frantically raised her hand to wipe her tears, but they flowed like broken beads, the more she wiped, the more they rolled down her cheeks and soaked into the delicate lace hem of her dress, leaving tiny, scattered marks.

"Look... your name is clearly in the book!"

Betty pointed to the clear, tear-stained mark, on which were the words "Hans Christian Andersen".

Green took a deep breath, his voice lowering: "Sorry, Betty. It was actually Wotox who wrote it."

"No...no...please, just have mercy and fool Betty, okay...?"

Betty shook her head hysterically, her cries filled with grievance and pleading.

How could she not guess who wrote the words?

Betty knew better than anyone how many pages the book had; she could notice it instantly even if only a corner was missing.

"Choose me, Betty! I'll definitely be a better fit for you than that vague, unattainable person!"

Green reached out his hand to her, palm open, his eyes filled with tenderness.

Betty, tears welling in her eyes, numbly turned the pages of the book of wisdom.

"The book doesn't say whether Betty should respond to you."

"I'm not waiting for a response from that book; I'm asking your own heart."

"The book doesn't say whether Betty should have a heart..."

"What does the book say? What should you eat for breakfast tomorrow? Which shoe should you wear first? Betty, put your hand on your chest and listen to your heartbeat!"

"It's not in the book..."

"Get this damn book out of here right now!"

Green raised his hand and knocked the Book of Wisdom from Betty's hand into the air, where it turned into countless fluttering pieces of paper.

"Human! Stop torturing Betty, please...end Betty's life and suffering along with it..."

Green's eyes welled up with tears, and he couldn't help but hug her.

"In your eyes, am I just a wild beast that can bare its claws at its friends?"

"And what do you know about Betty?"

"I don't know how many times I've dreamt of new writing appearing on the last page, and every time someone opens the door, I'm disappointed."

"Betty had already resigned herself to her fate, but you still managed to intrude into her dream..."

Green was somewhat surprised. Did he actually have a role in the beautiful dream that the magic mirror gave Betty?

Betty struggled in Green's arms, and the entire library shook violently with Betty's emotions.

"But dreams eventually end, and when you open your eyes, there are still no words on the book."

"Betty finally understood that the reason the book had no sequel was because its owner's future had come to an end."

"Do you know how much I long for salvation? Do you think I give up so easily? Do you think you can pull me out of this darkness where I see no future just by reaching out my hand?"

"If you could really do that, why, why have you left me here alone for four hundred years!"

"Why won't you come sooner?"

The girl's cries were heart-wrenching, and her scalding tears soaked through Green's clothes.

The violent magic surged out like a tsunami, violently shoving Green's body.

To resist this force, beast-like patterns began to appear beneath his skin, and sharp claws grew from his fingertips.

Splash!

The pages of the book were whipped up by the strong wind, and the bookshelf that had been repaired began to creak and sway.

"I'm sorry, Betty, this is the fastest I can run on the path of destiny."

Green did his best to steady his embrace, trying to calm the girl's agitated emotions.

Betty's voice was already hoarse, unable to utter a word for help; she had long since given up hope of being saved...

"If...if even so, you still want to save me."

Betty raised her voice, unleashing all the pent-up grievances and resentment she had accumulated over four hundred years.

"Then put Betty first in your heart, think of me first, choose me first!"

"You could never do something like overwriting and erasing the contract, taking me away, pulling me along, holding me tight!"

"But I've already tried my best to embrace you! If this is your heart's choice, I will strive to do what you hope for!"

hum!

Green couldn't hold on any longer and his entire body transformed into the form of the "Beast Prince" before he could barely stabilize himself.

Betty's magic was so violent it was almost outrageous.

The little girl in his arms looked up at the hideous beast face, but there was no fear in her eyes.

Instead, it revealed a hint of almost morbid anticipation, as if yearning to be completely devoured, chewed up, and melted into the bones and blood of this beast.

"Betty is a worthless piece of trash who broke the contract... If she could die in your warm stomach... that would be the happiest ending for her..."

Ah, that damned witch of greed, look what she's done to Betty!

When I get to the Holy Land, I'll dig you up and expose you to the scorching sun!

"You must be very tired, Betty."

Green lowered his head and gently wrapped the girl in his massive beastly body, his soft fur brushing against her tear-streaked cheeks.

"Do you remember that story, Betty, the lonely beast locked in the castle, waiting day after day for a princess to save her?"

Princess, you haven't even taught the beast how to love and be loved yet, how can you so easily give up your life?

My heart has chosen you, so I ask you this question.

"Betty, will you be [the one] for me?"

In a way, Green was adrift alone in another world, just like a lone sail on a dark ocean.

If two restless hearts could draw closer, perhaps some warmth could be created.

Betty was so shocked that she was speechless for a long time before finally raising her head to look at Green.

"How could you say that... Your explanation is too cunning; this is clearly Betty's problem."

Betty's heart seemed to waver for a moment, and her hands involuntarily clutched the beast's fur.

"I have been alone for four hundred years. Even if I hold your hand now, you will still die soon. The lifespan of a human being is like the blink of an eye to me."

Green carefully took Betty's small hand, and the huge beast head slowly pressed against Betty's face.

"No, Betty, this body is cursed with life. I will not die as long as there is life."

"After we've spent a thousand years, ten thousand years together, we'll surely bury those four hundred years of loneliness deep in our memories, until you never remember them again!"

"Choose me, Betty! I'll fix your crooked bookshelf, and I'll bring you soothing stories on your restless nights!"

"I have so many gifts I want to give you, and so many places I want to take you."

"So, choose me, Betty! My embrace will be a thousand times warmer than that cold chair!"

Betty panicked a little. She was afraid that she would break her promise to her mother at any moment, and she began to unconsciously mutter his name.

"Grimm... Andersen..."

Betty's voice had softened; she seemed to be just one step away from breaking the shackles of the contract.